William t



(No Model.)

. W. T. LIVINGSTON. MACHINE FOR COATING TEXTILE MATERIALS, &c., WITH COLORING 0R WATERPROOFING COMPOSITIONS.

No. 341,758. Patented May 11, 1886.

WE rains rrrcn MACHINE FOR COATING TEXTILE MATERIALS, 840., WITH COLORING 0R WATERPROOFING COMPOSITIONS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 341,758, dated May 11, 1886.

' Application filed January 16, 1886. Serial No.188,808. I (No model.) I

To all? whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM T. LIVING- STON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Passaic, in the county of Passaic andState of New Jersey, have invented new and useful Improvements in Machines for Coating Textile Materials and other Fabrics with Coloring or Waterproofing Gompositions, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a machine for applying coating compounds to the surface of cloth, paper, or other fabrics to waterproof, stiffen, or color said materials, or impart any desired surface thereto, as may be desired. Heretofore machines of this character have been provided with a receptacle for the coating compound and with devices for spreading the compound over the fabric, which is caused to travel beneath said receptacle at a suitable speed and degree of tension.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved machine for coating textile materials or other fabrics with coloring or waterproofing compositions, or other desirable coating compounds, by which certain parts of said machine, as hereinafter described, shall be made adjustable to the width of the fabric to be treated, and also to the quantity of coating compound to be distributed thereon, and to the degree of tension to be imparted to said fabric.

To this end my invention consists 'in the combination, with a concave receptacle having a feed-opening and an adjustable gate at one end, of graduated blocks located within said receptacle at its sides, and capable of controlling the length of the feed-opening, according to the width of the fabric to be coated, said blocks having also a longitudinal adjustment to support the gate at any desired height, thereby regulating the area of the feedopening and controlling the discharge of the coating compound.

The invention also consists in the combination, with a concave receptacle, of a series of transverse distributer-blades detachably secured to the outerside of said receptacle above its feed-opening.

It also consists in the combination, with said receptacle, of transverse bars or rods located near one end of the receptacle for supporting and guiding the fabric in such a way as to regulate its progress toward the feedopening or point where the coating is applied; also, in the combination, with the receptacle and attached distributers, of an adjustable roller for regulating the tension of the coated fabric in contact with said distributers; also, in the combination, with the receptacle and distributing devices, of a steam-chestfor sup porting and drying the coated fabric; and the invention further consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the annexed drawings,illustrating the invention, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of my improved fabric-coating machine on the line m m of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a plan'view of the machine with the receptaclecover removed. Fig. 3 is a sectional perspective showing in detail a portion of the receptacle at one side, together with a portion of its'gate and one of the graduated blocks for adj ustably supporting said gate and controlling the width of the free opening as well as its height,

The numeral 1 designates the receptacle or reservoir for the coating compound which is to be applied to the surface of the fabric under treatment. This coating compound is preferably in a semi-fluid state, and may consist of any well-known coloring materials or waterproofing compositions, or starchy or albuminous matters, or other suitable substances, according to the character of coating to be applied.

In order to be capable of resisting the action of any acids that may enter into the composition of the coating compound,the receptacle 1 is preferably made of copper or other appropriate material.

The coating-receptacle 1 has a concave bot tom, 2, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, and is pro.

vided at one end, a little beyond the median line, with a transverse feed-opening, 3, extending from side to side. This feed-opening is controlled by a gate, l, which is curved to correspond somewhat with the contour of the receptacle 1, and moves vertically in guides 5 at each end of said receptacle.

Within the receptacle 1, on each side, is a removable and adjustable graduated block, 6, having a curved under surface conforming to the configuration of the receptacle, and pro- ICO vided on the upper surface with a series of transverse graduatious or steps, 7, adapted to engage the lower edge of the gate 4. These graduated blocks rest loosely on the bottom of the receptacle 1, and are capable of being moved longitudinally toward or from the gate 4 and beneath its lower edge, so as to support said gate at any desired height and thereby regulate the width of the feed-opening. They may also be moved back entirely from beneath the gate 4, and thereby allow it to descend sufficiently to close the feed-openi ng 3 altogether.

By reference to Fig. 2 it-will be seen that the graduated or stepped blocks 6 lie parallel with and against the sides of the receptacle, and the space between the blocks forms a trough, along which the semi-liquid coating flows toward the feed-opening 3, through which it is discharged upon the adjacent side of the fabric to be coated. The blocks 6 may be of any desired width, and in order to vary the length of the feed-opening 3 to accord with the width of the fabric said blocks can be removed and be replaced by others of greater or less width, as desired. These graduated blocks 6, therefore, serve to control the area ofthe feed opening 3, both as regards its length and breadth, and at the same time they afford a support for the gate 4 when the feed-opening is partially or wholly uncovered. The upper end of the gate 4 is provided with a handle, 8,

by which it can be raised and lowered; or a lever or other device may be employed for that purpose.

The coating receptacle or reservoir 1 is supported in a suitable frame, 9, and has a hinged double-leaved cover, 10, provided with handles 11, by which either or both ends of the receptacle can be uncovered, as desired.

To the outer side of the receptacle 1, above the feed-opening 3, are secured the detachable distributerblades 12, which extend transverse- 1y across the path of the fabric and serve to spread the coating evenly upon the adjacent face of said fabric as it moves in contact, therewith. These distributer-blocks may be made of steel, German silver, or some other suitable material or composition capable of resisting the action of acids. Each distributer-blade 12 is provided with a flange, through which it is detachably bolted or otherwise secured to the exterior of the receptacle. out, they can therefore be readily replaced. These distributer-blades 12 may comprise a series of any suitable number, three being shown in the drawings, and are preferably arranged at unequal distances apart, as shown. One of these distributer-blades is located at the upper edge of the feed-opening.

At or near one end of the receptacle 1 is an open frame-work, comprising a series of transverse bars or rods 13 over which the fabric to be coated is drawn on its way to and beneath the coating-receptacle. In lieu of these When the several blades are worn bars 13, a reel or roller may be employed to laterallyadjustable roller, 14, is supported in suitable bearings, said roller being arranged to support and'guide the fabric, and is made adjustable for the purpose of regulating the tension of the fabric in contact with the distributers.

After passing the guide-roller 14 the coated fabric is carried over and in contact with a steam-chest, 15, having a valved steam-inlet, 16, and a valved exhaust, 17, said steam-chest being supported by a frame, 18, of any suitable construction.

In the drawings, the strip of fabric to be coated is designated by the numeral 19, and is shown as being drawn beneath the receptacle 1 in the direction of the arrows. It will be seen that the fabric can be fed or drawn from a bale or bunch rest-ing beneath the frame 13, and the fabric is supported by the rods or bars composing said frame. WVhen a free and rapid movement of the fabric is requirecl, it can be drawn directly over the outer bars of the frame; but if the fabric has a very smooth surface and feeds too rapidly its movement can be retarded by passing it back and forth alternately from the inner to the outer bars, as shown by dotted lines, or by simply winding it among the outer bars instead of passing it entirely over said bars. The fabric is carried beneath and in contact with the curved under side of the receptacle 1 and past the feed-opening 3 and distributer-blades 12 to and over the roller 14, and then over and in contact with the steam-chest 15, as shown. While the fabric is being drawn beneath the feed-opening 3 the gate 4 will be raised sufficiently to uncover said feed-opening to the desired extent and permit the coating compound to be discharged upon the moving fabric. The receptaclel is replenished from time to time as required by means of a scoop or' other suitable device, the coating material being deposited between the blocks 6 in the bottom of said receptacle, by which it is directed to and through the feed-opening. As the fabric is moved along the coating compound deposited thereon is distributed or evenly spread by thedistributer-blades 12, the roller 14 be ing adjusted to cause the fabric to move in close contact with said distributers. The fabric then passes to thestearn-chest 15, by which the coating is partially dried and set, the fabric being more completely dried in its further progress by being passed over or in proximity to other drying appliances. (Not shown.)

The object of the steam-chest is to apply sufficient heat to the fabric immediately after it is coated to prevent the color or other coating from saturating the fabric or penetrating to its under surface. The steam-chest may be made of boiler-iron or other suitable material, and, if desired, a safety-valve can be provided to prevent accidents.

This apparatus can be used conveniently for applying a surface-starching, or a waterproof composition, or any desired coloring to either one or both sides of a textile material or other fabric. and quantity of the coating either a hard or soft surface can be obtained. The fabric can also be prepared with different colors on opposite sides by first coating one side and afterward applying a different color to the opposite side. As the coating is applied in a semi-liquid state, and is evenly distributed and quickly dried, it will not penetrate to the opposite side of the fabric. Oalicoes, dressgoods, linings, rubber gossainers, pocket-book linings and covers, ground-surfaces for wallpapers, and other fabrics can thus be readily prepared. The apparatus can also be used for starching lace curtains and for other analogous purposes. If desired, the apparatus can also be used in connection With any suitable printing-machine, so that the material under treatment may be stiffened or colored, dried, and printed in continuous "strips at one operation, thus effecting a large saving in time and labor.

It is obvious that the fabric can be fed by any suitable means, and when fully prepared may be wound in rolls or bales for shipment.

What I claim as my invention is.

1. The combination, in a machine for coating fabrics, of the coating tank having a concave bottom provided with a transverse feedopening extending substantially from side to side thereof, an adjustable curved sliding gate extending longitudinally across the tank for controlling the feed-opening, and guides in which the gate slides vertically, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a coating-receptacle having a transverse feed-opening, of a gate for controlling the width of said opening, and graduated blocks placed in the bottom of said receptacle and adapted to support the gate and control the length of the feed-opening, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in a machine for coating fabric, of the coatingtank having a concave bottom provided with a transverse feedopening, and a curved sliding gate for con- By varying the character trolling said feed-opening, with a series of distribnter-blades secured to the exterior of the curved wall of the tank, substantially as described.

4. The combination, with a coating-receptacle having a concave bottom and an adjustable feedopening, of a series of distributerblades secured to the exterior of said receptacle above the feed-opening and at unequal intervals, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with a coating-receptacle having a concave bottom and a transverse feed-opening, of an open framework located at one end of said receptacle for the purpose of supporting the fabric to be coated, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with a coating-receptacle having a feed-opening, and a series of transverse distributer-blades secured to the exterior of said receptacle, of an adjustable roller for causing the fabric to be coated to travel in regulated contact with the distributer-blades, substantially as described.

7. The combination, with a coating-receptacle having a feed-opening, and distributerblades secured to the exterior of said receptacle, of a roller for guiding a fabric in contact with said distribnters, and a steam-chest for drying and setting the coating, substantially as described.

8. The combination, with a coating-receptacle having a concave bottom and a transverse feed-opening, of means for regulating the area of said opening, distributer-blades secured to the exterior of the receptacle above its feed-opening, means for supporting a moving fabric beneath the feed-opening and in contact with the distribnters, and a steamchest for drying and setting the coating, sub stantially as described.

9. The combination of the coating-receptacle 1, having feed-opening 3, adjustable gate 4, and graduated blocks 6, the distributerblades 12, secured to the exterior of said receptacle, the open frame-work 18, adjustable roller 14, and steamchest 15, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WV. T. LIVINGSTON.

Witnesses:

JAMES L. NORRIS, J. A. RUTHERFORD. 

